Awards

Music In Communities Awards MusicInCommunitiesAward092009

Theme: Community wellbeing

How is the life of your community improved by active music making?

“What better way of fostering a sense of community…and reducing the pressures of a competitive, materialist society than encouraging widespread participation in the arts.” Hugh MacKay, social researcher

Active involvement in music and singing can help counteract many negative aspects of modern life such as alienation, isolation and depression by promoting mental health and physical well-being.

Finalists announced!

24 national finalists have been announced in the 2009 Music in Communities Awards which are themed around wellbeing, to find local music groups and programs whose benefits extend way beyond the music.

The shortlisted finalists were selected from 170 entrants across Australia and are now one step closer to a share of the $20,000 prize pool.

This year’s finalists include:

  • A rural community in South Australia which has uses a local shearing shed as a some-time Music Hall, creating a social and musical hub for farming families and neighbours.
  • An outer Sydney suburban town band, now run by the grandson of the original bandmaster, which creates opportunities for very young players and much older musicians to play together across generations.
  • A primary school choir in regional Victoria which has joined forces with a local seniors choir. Together they rehearse once a week and do road trips together, forming strong bonds between young and old which transcend music.
  • An inner city women’s choir in Melbourne using music and singing as vehicles for social justice and reconciliation.
  • An innovative program for people with disabilities which puts a new twist on the concept of an ‘orchestra’.

The finalists are:

Ambient Orchestras

Brunswick Women’s Choir – VIC

Campbelltown All Ages Music Program – NSW

Campbelltown Camden District Band – NSW

Chooks on a Hot Tin Roof – NSW

GREATS – Youth Services – Maningrida Youth Cultural Festival – NT

Hit the Right Note

Ku ring gai Philharmonic Orchestra – NSW

Lane Cove Choristers – NSW

Melbourne Scottish Fiddle Club – VIC

Multicultural Arts Victoria – Visible Project – VIC

Music For Everyone – ACT

Narara Valley High School School and Community Music Program

Noarlunga Downs P-7 Drumming Group

Pearson’s Shed

Straight Off da Street Inc

Tangentyere Council Inc – Drum Atweme Project – NT

The Jam, The Mix, The Gig Inc.

The Mini Notes – Port Fairy Consolidated School

Tottenham Community Band

Unplugged Cafe

Violet Town Community House

Willunga Academy of Rock

Women In Harmony

The 2009 National winners will be announced in December.

Despite pockets of activity, on the whole Australia has proportionally fewer active music makers compared with other Western nations such as the US and the UK. Household surveys show there are an estimated 5 million ‘lapsed’ musicians – people who once learned, but no longer play.